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Iowa legislators Liz Mathis, Andy McKean endorse Amy Klobuchar for president
Oct. 18, 2019 10:00 am, Updated: Oct. 18, 2019 7:20 pm
Democratic presidential candidate Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota has landed the endorsement of two Eastern Iowa legislators.
State Sen. Liz Mathis, D-Hiawatha, and Rep. Andy McKean, D-Anamosa, have endorsed the U.S. senator's bid for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination.
Mathis' endorsement is Klobuchar's first from a sitting member of the Iowa Senate. With the addition of her endorsement and McKean's, she now has the backing of 13 current and former members of the Legislature. That's more than any other Democratic candidate for president, her campaign said.
'Having the support of Sen. Liz Mathis and Rep. Andy McKean is a testament to the growing enthusiasm we see across Iowa for Amy Klobuchar's candidacy,” said Lauren Dillon, the campaign's Iowa state director. 'We're thrilled to have their support as we kick off our ‘For All of America' bus tour to take this campaign's message across the Hawkeye State.”
Klobuchar will start her bus tour through several swing counties at 8:45 a.m. today at NewBo City Market in Cedar Rapids. McKean and Mathis will appear with her at the kickoff event.
Mathis, who has been a leader in efforts to provide collective bargaining rights, expand access to affordable health care and invest in mental health services, cited Klobuchar's efforts 'to address the needs of working families, including affordable health care and mental health services.”
McKean made national headlines in April when he left the Iowa GOP to caucus with Democrats. He was the longest-serving Republican in the history of the Iowa Legislature.
He called Klobuchar 'one of the most effective members of the U.S. Senate,” leading more than 100 bills and amendments to become law.
He is the second Iowa legislator who left the GOP to endorse Klobuchar. Former Sen. David Johnson of Ocheyedan left the party while in office, citing President Donald Trump and the Republican Party as reasons for becoming an independent.
Comments: (319) 398-8375; james.lynch@thegazette.com
Democratic presidential candidate Amy Klobuchar (left) speaks to the crowd of supporters as State Sen. Liz Mathis stands at her side during Klobuchar's bus tour kick-off event at NewBo City Market, 1100 3rd St SE, in southeast Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on Friday, Oct. 18, 2019. McKean switched political parties from Republican to Democrat in April 2019. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)
Democratic presidential candidate Amy Klobuchar waves to the crowd as she arrives for her bus tour kick-off event at NewBo City Market, 1100 3rd St SE, in southeast Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on Friday, Oct. 18, 2019. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette) during Klobuchar's bus tour kick-off event at NewBo City Market, 1100 3rd St SE, in southeast Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on Friday, Oct. 18, 2019. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)
Democratic presidential candidate Amy Klobuchar (center) along with State Sen. Liz Mathis (left) and State Rep. Molly Donahue wave to the crowd as they arrive for Klobuchar's bus tour kick-off event at NewBo City Market, 1100 3rd St SE, in southeast Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on Friday, Oct. 18, 2019. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette) during Klobuchar's bus tour kick-off event at NewBo City Market, 1100 3rd St SE, in southeast Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on Friday, Oct. 18, 2019. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)
State Sen. Liz Mathis (left) points out a member of the audience to Democratic presidential candidate Amy Klobuchar as they arrive for Klobuchar's bus tour kick-off event at NewBo City Market, 1100 3rd St SE, in southeast Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on Friday, Oct. 18, 2019. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette) during Klobuchar's bus tour kick-off event at NewBo City Market, 1100 3rd St SE, in southeast Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on Friday, Oct. 18, 2019. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)
Democratic State Rep. Andy McKean smiles as he shares the dais with Democratic presidential candidate Amy Klobuchar during Klobuchar's bus tour kick-off event at NewBo City Market, 1100 3rd St SE, in southeast Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on Friday, Oct. 18, 2019. McKean switched political parties from Republican to Democrat in April 2019. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)
Democratic State Rep. Andy McKean (left) gets a hug from fellow State Rep. Molly Donahue during the bus tour kick-off event for Democratic presidential candidate Amy Klobuchar at NewBo City Market, 1100 3rd St SE, in southeast Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on Friday, Oct. 18, 2019. McKean switched political parties from Republican to Democrat in April 2019. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)
Democratic State Reps. Andy McKean (center) and Molly Donahue (left) listen to Democratic presidential candidate Amy Klobuchar (right) during Klobuchar's bus tour kick-off event at NewBo City Market, 1100 3rd St SE, in southeast Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on Friday, Oct. 18, 2019. McKean switched political parties from Republican to Democrat in April 2019. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)
Democratic State Rep. Andy McKean smiles as he shares the dais with Democratic presidential candidate Amy Klobuchar (right) during Klobuchar's bus tour kick-off event at NewBo City Market, 1100 3rd St SE, in southeast Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on Friday, Oct. 18, 2019. McKean switched political parties from Republican to Democrat in April 2019. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)
Democratic presidential candidate Amy Klobuchar speaks to a crowd of supporters as she shares a dais with State Sen. Liz Mathis, State Rep. Molly Donahue and Democratic State Rep. Andy McKean during Klobuchar's bus tour kick-off event at NewBo City Market, 1100 3rd St SE, in southeast Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on Friday, Oct. 18, 2019. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)
Democratic presidential candidate Amy Klobuchar walks off the dais after speaking to a crowd of supporters as she appears with State Sen. Liz Mathis, State Rep. Molly Donahue and Democratic State Rep. Andy McKean during Klobuchar's bus tour kick-off event at NewBo City Market, 1100 3rd St SE, in southeast Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on Friday, Oct. 18, 2019. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)
Democratic presidential candidate Amy Klobuchar walks off the dais after speaking to a crowd of supporters as she appears with State Sen. Liz Mathis, State Rep. Molly Donahue and Democratic State Rep. Andy McKean during Klobuchar's bus tour kick-off event at NewBo City Market, 1100 3rd St SE, in southeast Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on Friday, Oct. 18, 2019. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)
Democratic presidential candidate Amy Klobuchar (right) greets six-week-old Rosalie Langguth (cq) and her mother Anne during Klobuchar's bus tour kick-off event at NewBo City Market, 1100 3rd St SE, in southeast Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on Friday, Oct. 18, 2019. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)
Democratic presidential candidate Amy Klobuchar (right) greets six-week-old Rosalie Langguth (cq) and her mother Anne during Klobuchar's bus tour kick-off event at NewBo City Market, 1100 3rd St SE, in southeast Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on Friday, Oct. 18, 2019. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)
Democratic presidential candidate Amy Klobuchar answers a reporter's question as she meets with the media next to her tour bus during her bus tour kick-off event at NewBo City Market, 1100 3rd St SE, in southeast Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on Friday, Oct. 18, 2019. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)
Democratic State Rep. Andy McKean speaks with Joe Stutler adjutant for the Iowa Democratic Veterans' Caucus during the bus tour kick-off event for Democratic presidential candidate Amy Klobuchar at NewBo City Market, 1100 3rd St SE, in southeast Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on Friday, Oct. 18, 2019. McKean switched political parties from Republican to Democrat in April 2019. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)
Supporters of Democratic presidential candidate Amy Klobuchar cheer and wave signs during Klobuchar's bus tour kick-off event at NewBo City Market, 1100 3rd St SE, in southeast Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on Friday, Oct. 18, 2019. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)
Supporters of Democratic presidential candidate Amy Klobuchar cheer and wave signs during Klobuchar's bus tour kick-off event at NewBo City Market, 1100 3rd St SE, in southeast Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on Friday, Oct. 18, 2019. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)
Democratic State Rep. Andy McKean (second from left) speaks as he shares the dais with fellow State Rep. Molly Donahue (left), State Sen. Liz Mathis (right) and Democratic presidential candidate Amy Klobuchar during Klobuchar's bus tour kick-off event at NewBo City Market, 1100 3rd St SE, in southeast Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on Friday, Oct. 18, 2019. McKean switched political parties from Republican to Democrat in April 2019. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)
Supporters of Democratic presidential candidate Amy Klobuchar cheer and wave signs during Klobuchar's bus tour kick-off event at NewBo City Market, 1100 3rd St SE, in southeast Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on Friday, Oct. 18, 2019. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)
Democratic State Rep. Andy McKean smiles as he shares the dais with Democratic presidential candidate Amy Klobuchar (right) during Klobuchar's bus tour kick-off event at NewBo City Market, 1100 3rd St SE, in southeast Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on Friday, Oct. 18, 2019. McKean switched political parties from Republican to Democrat in April 2019. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)
Gavin is adorned with Amy for America stickers during Democratic presidential candidate Amy Klobuchar's bus tour kick-off event at NewBo City Market, 1100 3rd St SE, in southeast Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on Friday, Oct. 18, 2019. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)
Renee Kooker of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, smiles as she listens to Democratic presidential candidate Amy Klobuchar speak during Klobuchar's bus tour kick-off event at NewBo City Market, 1100 3rd St SE, in southeast Cedar Rapids on Friday, Oct. 18, 2019. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)
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